IVPA GLOBAL ROUNDTABLE @ 4.0
24-Jul-2025 01:38 PM
IVPA GLOBAL ROUNDTABLE @ 4.0
★ The IVPA-hosted GLOBAL ROUNDTABLE @ 4.0 is being held at JW Marriott, Aerocity, Delhi, from July 24–25.
★ Mr. Sudhakar Desai, President IVPA & CEO of Emami Agrotech Ltd, inaugurated and led the program.
★ It was highlighted that India imports 65% of its edible oils, sourced from countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Brazil, Argentina, and the US.
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Mr. Kevin Roepke, Regional Director, US Soybean Export Council
★ Post-COVID, India has emerged as a major importer of soybeans and soybean oil, with imports expected to grow further over the next decade.
★ Productivity of Indian oilseeds, especially soybean, is among the lowest in the world.
★ While MSP for soybean is rising continuously, global prices are falling, leading to market imbalances.
★ In 1995, China was the largest exporter of soybeans, but it has since become a major importer. Soybean production in China has doubled since 1995, with consumption continuing to grow.
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Shri Sanjeev Chopra, Secretary, Department of Food and Public Distribution, Govt. of India
★ NAFED and other agencies hold good stock levels of oilseeds, and sales of procured soybeans and mustard are ongoing.
★ The government will soon issue edible oil regulatory measures to increase transparency and monitor price fluctuations.
★ India imports about 60% of its edible oil needs.
★ There are multiple challenges in the international market.
★ India has a plan to become self-sufficient in oilseeds and edible oils within the next 20 years.
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Mr. G Chandrasekhar, Senior Editor & Policy Commentator in Agribusiness and Commodity Markets
Out-of-the-Box Thinking: Future-Proofing India’s Vegetable Oil Economy
★ India’s edible oil productivity remains among the lowest globally.
★ The government should remove trade restrictions to allow markets to regulate demand, availability, and consumption naturally.
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Shri Pralhad Joshi, Hon’ble Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Govt. of India
Indian Agriculture and Oilseed Economy from a Macro-Economic Perspective
★ In a video address, Pralhad Joshi congratulated IVPA on its 50th anniversary and emphasized the critical role of edible oils in India.
★ India’s oilseed production currently meets only 20% of total consumption.
★ India is among the largest consumers and importers of edible oils globally.
★ Over the past decade, oilseed production has surged by 44%, from 27.5 MMT to 39.7 MMT. Productivity has improved by 22%, reaching 1,340 kg/ha. Oilmeal exports in 2023–24 stood at 5.44 lakh tonnes.
★ India imports 56% of its edible oil needs.
★ Reductions in import duties aim to support the smooth functioning of the domestic edible oil industry.
★ Under the National Oil Mission, oilseed production has increased, with the government allocating ₹11,040 crore in this budget.
★ New seed varieties have been launched to improve productivity. Additionally, 65 new seed hubs, 50 seed storage facilities, and 600 value chains have been established.
★ MSP for oilseeds has seen significant increases in the past decade, and procurement under PSF is growing.
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Mr. Atul Chaturvedi, Chairman, Asian Palm Oil Alliance (APOA) & Executive Chairman, Shree Renuka Sugars
India’s Path to Self-Sufficiency in Edible Oils – Vision, Challenges, and Solutions
★ There is good global availability of oilseeds and edible oils, particularly palm oil in Indonesia and Malaysia.
★ A few years ago, Indonesia restricted palm oil exports, which pushed prices to record highs, highlighting India’s heavy dependence on global markets.
★ India remains a leading importer of edible oils.
★ Oilseed prices in domestic markets are consistently falling.
★ Malaysia’s proposed 50% blending program will boost domestic consumption and reduce export availability, a matter India must consider seriously.
★ India should increase import duties on edible oils to curb consumption at higher prices.
★ Revenue from import duties should be utilized to enhance domestic productivity.
★ He expressed concern over declining oilmeal consumption due to DDGS (Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles) from corn, which has impacted domestic prices.
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Dr. Bhavna Shah, Deputy CEO, N.K Proteins Pvt. Ltd
Free Trade Agreements and Their Ripple Effect on India’s Vegetable Oils and Oilseeds Sector
★ Imports of edible oils under Free Trade Agreements should be reviewed periodically.
★ Adjustments in import duties are crucial for making India self-reliant in edible oils.
★ India continues to be the largest consumer of edible oils.